The library was quiet, just as Valerie liked it. Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows, casting warm golden rays over rows of bookshelves. After breakfast, She decided to spend some time here. Her mood wasn’t suited for company, and the library felt like a safe haven. She wandered the aisles, running her fingers along the spines of books, searching for something that would hold her attention. Finally, she spotted one on the top shelf. Its title was barely visible, and she had to squint to read it. “That’s the one,” she muttered to herself. The ladder was close by, a sturdy wooden thing I’d used a thousand times before. She moved it into position, climbed up carefully, and stretched toward the book. It was just a little out of reach. “Come on,” she grumbled, standing on tiptoes, her fingers brushing the edge of the spine. The door creaked open behind her. She froze mid-reach, her heart skipping a beat. Turning her head, she saw Matteo stroll in, his usual cocky
Selena stood in the kitchen, stirring a spoon through her coffee, though she wasn’t drinking it. Her movements were sharp, almost irritated, the clinking of the spoon against the ceramic mug betraying her frustration. She wasn’t expecting him back so soon. “Not even a hello?” Adrian’s voice broke the silence, smooth and cutting like a blade. Selena stiffened but didn’t turn around. “You’re back early. Should I roll out the red carpet?” Adrian smirked as he leaned against the doorframe, his dark eyes studying her with a mix of amusement and something else—something she couldn’t quite place. “Charming as always.” Selena finally turned, her expression set in a glare. “What do you want, Adrian?” He pushed off the doorframe, walking into the kitchen with deliberate, slow strides. “What, no kiss to welcome me home?” She scoffed, crossing her arms. “In your dreams.” Adrian stepped closer, the air between them growing taut. He had that maddening way of invading her space without
Selena woke to an unusual stillness in the house. For a moment, she lay in bed, her eyes on the ceiling, letting the faint morning light seep into the room. The silence was unnerving. Adrian wasn’t a quiet presence. Even when he wasn’t speaking, his footsteps echoed, his voice carried, his dominance filled every corner of the house. But today, it was eerily quiet. She sat up, her brows furrowing as she glanced at the clock. It was nearly 9 a.m. Adrian never left without telling her—not because he cared to, but because he liked reminding her she was under his control. Slipping out of bed, Selena wrapped herself in a robe and padded down the hallway. The guards stationed near the stairs straightened as she approached. “Where’s Adrian?” she asked, her tone curt. The guards exchanged glances but said nothing. “I asked you a question,” she snapped, irritation sparking in her chest. Still, silence. She turned to Matteo, Adrian’s right-hand man, who stood by the doorway with his
The office was quiet. Everyone else had gone home, but she stayed behind, sitting alone at her desk, working on designs no one had asked for.Her hands were sore, but she kept going, determined to keep her mind off the mess her life had become.“Ma’am, it’s getting late,” Matteo said, glancing at his watch. “We need to leave now. Sir will be worried.”She rolled her eyes. Worried? Yeah, right.The constant presence of her bodyguards annoyed her to no end. Who brought four guards to work? They barely spoke to her, standing around like statues, always muttering, “Ma’am,” as if that was all they could say.Matteo was the worst. He acted like she’d personally offended him. She could feel how much he wanted her out of Adrian’s life—as if that wasn’t her dream too.Three months of being married to Adrian Russo, and she was already desperate for a way out.She wanted to escape so badly, but there was no way out. If she ever had the chance, she’d shoot Lucien Bennett, her useless father, for
Selena was far too exhausted to move. Her joints throbbed, and her eyes felt heavy with fatigue. She had cried herself to sleep the previous night and hadn’t risen from bed until this evening. How had she allowed herself to get tangled in such a mess? “Aunty, please take care of her for me,” she murmured, holding her phone tightly against her ear. “I don’t want her getting involved, please.” “I will,” her mother replied on the other end before abruptly ending the call. Selena’s Aunt lived all the way in Italy and hadn’t attended Selena’s wedding because of a bitter divorce with her father. It was just as well. Aunty Nani had been guarding Selena’s deepest secret for three years. Her presence now would only unravel everything—and Adrian would never forgive her if he discovered the truth. Knock, knock. “Ma’am?” Paula, one of the maids, peeked cautiously into the room. “Sir asked me to give you this.” She stepped inside, placed a box on the bed, and quickly left. Selena lifted the l
Selena stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. The red gown fit her like a glove, its flowing chiffon skirt brushing against her ankles. Despite its beauty, she felt no joy wearing it. The dress was another tool in Adrian’s arsenal to control her, another piece of his game. Her fingers brushed against the lace detailing on the bodice as her mind drifted. Why had Adrian demanded she dress up tonight? What was he planning now?Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Paula entered, holding a small velvet box. "Sir asked me to deliver this, ma’am." She placed the box on the vanity and left without another word.Selena hesitated before opening it. Inside lay an intricate diamond necklace, each gem sparkling under the soft bedroom light. A note was tucked inside: *Wear it. I’ll pick you up in ten minutes.*She sighed and fastened the necklace around her neck. Its weight felt oppressive, like a shackle. Just as she finished, another knock sounded at the door,
Adrian sat in the darkness of his study long after Selena left. The glass of whiskey in his hand trembled slightly as he lifted it to his lips, his mind replaying her final words. "One day, you’ll look back and realize what you lost."He growled low under his breath and slammed the glass onto the desk, the sound of shattering crystal breaking the suffocating silence. Selena paced the length of her bedroom, her mind filled with anger and confusion. Adrian's coldness, his refusal to let her in—it was infuriating. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Midnight. Sleep was out of the question. Her thoughts kept drifting to Nathan’s cryptic words and the look of barely contained rage on Adrian’s face. What was he hiding? Her pacing was interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing on the bedside table. She hesitated before picking it up. The caller ID read "Unknown." Frowning, she answered. "Hello?" "Selena." Nathan's voice was smooth, teasing. Her grip tightened on the phone. "
Selena’s breath hitched as the tension in the room thickened. Adrian stood tall and menacing, his gaze locked onto Nathan, who remained calm, a smug grin on his face. “Adrian, I—” Selena began, but he cut her off with a sharp glance. “Stay back,” Adrian ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. His eyes never left Nathan as he stepped forward. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Nathan? Coming here, sneaking into my home?” Nathan shrugged, leaning casually against the balcony railing. “Relax, cousin. I was just having a little chat with Selena. She deserves to know the truth, don’t you think?” Adrian’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. “You don’t get to decide what she deserves.” Selena’s frustration boiled over. “Stop talking about me like I’m not here!” she snapped, stepping between them. “I’m done with this. Both of you need to tell me what’s going on. Now.” Nathan smirked, his gaze flicking to Adrian. “See? She’s curious. Why don’t we give her wha
The air in the grand hall was silent. The room was dimly lit, the glow of the chandelier above casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table. Every seat was filled with men—his men. His family. Some leaned back in their chairs, arms crossed, their faces hardened with skepticism. Others murmured among themselves, whispering in hushed voices as Adrian stood at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. Matteo stood beside him, arms stiff at his sides, his gaze scanning the room warily. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Adrian exhaled slowly before speaking. “I called you all here because there’s something we need to discuss.” A low murmur spread across the room. “I’ve made a decision,” he continued, his voice even but firm. “I want to make a pact with the Monrelli family.” Silence. Then— “Are you out of your fucking mind?” The voice came from across the table, deep and laced with disbelief. The man who spoke—Marco, a thick-built man with graying hair a
Selena woke up slowly, the warmth of a blanket wrapped around her. She blinked, disoriented, her eyes scanning the dimly lit library. The flicker of candlelight cast gentle shadows on the walls, and the room was still. She had fallen asleep in one of the chairs after her long, exhausting conversation with Matteo. Her body ached from sitting for so long, and the soft, soothing silence of the library had lured her into a deep, unplanned sleep. The blanket that now covered her felt comforting, though she hadn’t noticed when it was placed over her. Her fingers brushed against the fabric, but she didn’t care about that now. What mattered was Adrian—she needed answers, and she needed them now.Her mind was a whirlwind as she stood up, stretching her stiff muscles. The floor creaked underfoot as she walked toward the door, the cold air hitting her skin like a slap. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, leaving only a faint glow in the sky. She couldn’t waste any more time. The questi
Selena sat on the couch, a book in her lap, but she wasn’t really reading. Her mind was spinning with everything that had happened over the last few days. Nathan’s kiss, Adrian’s cruel words—it was all too much. Just as she was starting to feel overwhelmed again, Valerie strolled into the living room with a big, mischievous grin on her face. Selena raised an eyebrow. “What’s with the smile?” Valerie plopped onto the armchair, looking smug. “Oh, nothing. Just thinking about shaking things up a little.” Selena frowned. “What does that mean? What are you up to, Val?” Valerie leaned back, crossing her legs. “Matteo. He’s always so serious, so distant. I think it’s time someone showed him how to have fun.” “Matteo?” Selena blinked. “You mean *our* Matteo? Quiet, doesn’t-talk-to-anyone Matteo?” Valerie grinned. “The very same. He needs to lighten up. And I’m just the person to help him with that.” Selena stared at her friend, unsure if she was joking or serious. “Valerie, Ma
Selena stormed down the hallway, her breath coming in sharp bursts. Every step she took away from Adrian’s room felt like a victory. Her anger burned brightly in her chest, drowning out the pain that threatened to creep in. She wouldn’t cry over him—not tonight, not ever again.As she reached the corner of the hallway, she nearly bumped into a young maid carrying a stack of folded towels. The girl gasped, her eyes wide as she looked up at Selena. "Ma'am," the maid stammered, adjusting the towels in her arms. "Is everything all right?" Selena squared her shoulders, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Everything is fine. I need a different room to sleep in tonight. Can you show me one?" The maid hesitated, her gaze flickering with curiosity. She seemed unsure whether to follow Selena’s instructions or ask questions. "A... different room?" she repeated cautiously. "Yes," Selena said firmly, narrowing her eyes. "I don’t want to stay in that room anymore. Is there a problem?" Th
Selena opened the door to Adrian’s room, surprised to find him sitting there. He hadn’t slept in this room for the past few days, and she hadn’t expected to see him now. The room was dark, only lit by the fading light outside the window. Adrian’s eyes flicked up to meet hers, his expression unreadable.“What are you doing here?” Selena asked, stepping further into the room. She didn’t know why it bothered her, but seeing him here, in the space that used to feel like home, made her uneasy.Adrian didn’t answer right away. He just stared at her for a moment, his jaw clenched. Then, his voice broke the silence, low and cold. “Are you disgusted seeing your husband in his room?”Selena frowned, unsure of how to respond. “Why would you say that?” she asked, her heart beginning to race. Adrian stood up suddenly, closing the distance between them with long, angry strides. He grabbed her arm roughly, his grip tight as he pulled her closer. “Are you disgusted by me, Selena?” he asked, his voic
The late afternoon sun poured over the garden, casting long shadows across the stone path. Selena walked slowly, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, lost in thought. The atmosphere in the mansion had been unbearable lately, and she needed the fresh air to think clearly. Her argument with Adrian replayed in her mind, stoking her frustration. They hadn’t argued about love or confessions, but about priorities. Adrian had been focused on protecting the gang at all costs, shutting everyone else out in the process. Selena had tried to reason with him, to tell him that his methods were alienating the people who cared about him, but he wouldn’t listen. She had left the conversation feeling unheard and dismissed, her anger bubbling just under the surface. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Adrian saw her as naïve, incapable of understanding his burdens. Now, as she walked through the garden, the cool breeze did little to calm her nerves. “Selena?” a voice called softly from behind
The whole house was silent, except for the faint ticking of a clock somewhere down the hall. Selena moved through the dimly lit corridors, her heels clicking against the marble floors. She wasn’t supposed to be here. She knew that. But something in her gut had drawn her back, and now she found herself standing outside Adrian’s study, the faint glow of a fire flickering through the slightly ajar door. She hesitated. After their argument at the dinner party, she had sworn to stay far away from him and the troubles that came with his world. But witnessing the heated argument between Adrian and Nathan earlier had shaken her. Even though he hates her she didn't like the the thought of Adrian dealing with it alone. With a deep breath, she pushed the door open. Adrian sat in a high-backed leather chair, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed on the glass of whiskey in his hand. The warm light of the fire danced across his sharp features, casting shadows that made him look even more dangero
The mansion was looked and felt calm, but everyone was walking on tiptoes. Adrian and Nathan had been at each other’s throats for weeks, and tonight felt like it was about to explode. Everyone inside the house moved in hushed silence, heads low, avoiding the tension crackling between the two men. Valerie, who normally didn’t care to involve herself, knew better than to step in the middle of this storm. Selena, sitting in the library with a book in her hands, couldn’t focus. She tried to lose herself in the words, but every time she tried to turn the page, her mind would drift back to the mess between Adrian and Nathan. Their relationship had always been strained, but now it felt like they were two ticking time bombs, just waiting for the other to explode. Nathan was reckless, constantly challenging Adrian, while Adrian, hated being challenged. The argument in Adrian’s study started as a murmur, but it quickly escalated. Selena put the book aside, her heart racing. She didn’t need to
Selena sat by the large window in her room, her thoughts swirling. She rested her forehead against the glass, trying to make sense of her feelings. Adrian had barely spoken to her after dinner. His cold demeanor left her uneasy. Nathan’s words from the terrace echoed in her mind. You don’t belong in this world... You deserve better.But what did "better" even mean? Selena wasn’t sure anymore. Downstairs, Adrian stood in the study, staring out at the gardens. His sharp gray eyes scanned the horizon, though his thoughts were miles away. Matteo entered, shutting the door behind him. “She’s still quiet,” Matteo said, crossing his arms. “Barely ate breakfast.” Adrian didn’t turn around. “I know.” Matteo hesitated before speaking again. “Nathan’s a problem.” Adrian’s jaw tightened. “He’s always been a problem.” “You’re letting him get too close,” Matteo warned. “Selena doesn’t know what he’s doing, but you do. She trusts him because he’s good at pretending to care.” Adrian f